Chris Nanco and Fabian Herbers tally goals as squad sweeps New York

Chris Nanco notched his second goal of the season to open the scoring while Philadelphia Union midfielder Fabian Herbers tallied the insurance goal, extending Steel FC's unbeaten to streak to seven matches. The run is the longest in the club’s young history, with Steel FC unbeaten since May 28. Goalkeeper Jake McGuire made four saves in route to his fifth clean sheet of the season.

“Happy with it and it’s the second in a couple weeks and that is really a hard thing to do especially against a good team,” Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said. “I think the whole group is pleased with the overall performance in the first half and the grit in the second half to keep the game choppy and not allow them to get into a rhythm. We didn’t collapse on ourselves and allow them any sort of meaningful possession in our half of the field, bar one or two instances.”

Despite being outshot in the match, Steel FC made the most of its opportunities in front of goal in the first half in the final regular season meeting between the two clubs. After seeing a shot ring off the post a minute earlier, Adam Najem and Nanco sparked a counter attack for the opening goal. Running with a 2-on-1 man advantage, Najem delivered a pass into the box that Nanco slotted home in the 17th minute.

Red Bulls II tried to answer moments later with a shot from the edge of the box but McGuire kept Steel FC’s lead. Bethlehem doubled its lead moments later, as Santi Moar made a run down the goal line before finding Herbers in front of the keeper. With the defense collapsing on the Spaniard, a quick one time pass was enough for Herbers to collect his first goal of the season.

Steel FC concludes its three-game homestead against in-state rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, July 15. The match will be the first of three meetings this season and tickets for the rivalry match can be purchased online here or by calling the Bethlehem Steel FC ticket office at 844-STEELFC.

With the win, Steel FC wins its third regular season series against an opponent this year. Steel FC went 2-1 against Harrisburg City Islanders, 2-1 against FC Cincinnati and now 2-0 against New York Red Bulls II.

Adam Najem continued his stellar play against his former organization, picking up an assist. In the two regular season matchups against Red Bulls II, Najem scored a goal and tallied two assists.

Najem’s assist was his fourth of the season, tying the club’s single season assist record with Ryan Richter and James Chambers in 2016.

Chris Nanco’s goal was his the second of his rookie season and first since his second-half goal against Harrisburg on April 15.

Fabian Herber’s goal was his first with Bethlehem Steel FC in 2017 and the third overall with the club. Herbers’ previous goal came at Orlando City B in May 2016.